Mountain biking has been a popular sport for years now. It essentially involves riding bicycles in rough hilly or mountainous terrain. The bicycles used for this type of activity are specially designed to tolerate impacts, be easily maneuverable, absorb shock, and resist tire puncture. Here are a few tips concerning mountain bikes and mountain biking:

Get a Good Bike

The old saw that you tend to “get what you pay for” applies to mountain bikes as much as it does to anything else. Paying a bit more and investing in a good mountain bike more will mean that you get a bike you can rely on to take the punishment associated with mountain biking. Especially if you plan to do serious trail riding, a well made mountain bike can really make a difference. Higher end bikes are generally stronger as well as lighter. They thus offer benefits on both the level of safety and riding ease.

Scan Ahead while Riding

When riding on rough terrain and mountain trails, it is important to shift the focus from what is immediately in front of you to the trail ahead at a range of about 5 to 10 feet. This will guard against being surprised by sudden obstacles. When obstacles appear too abruptly, there may not be time to avoid them effectively and a crash can result.

Do not Focus on Riders Ahead

When riding in groups, do not focus on the back and rear wheels of riders ahead. Instead, scan the trail itself. You need knowledge and perception of what is in the trail and where it is leading and looking at the rider in front of you can’t give you a complete sense of this. If they have a sudden collision or are not paying attention themselves, you might find yourself right on top of them before you know it.

Do not Overinflate Tires

Tires that are too firmly inflated are not recommended for rougher mountain and trail biking. The wheels absorb shock and impact best if they are inflated only to a certain pressure. They should still have some appreciable give to them when you press on them with your finger.

Do Periodic Maintenance Checks and Procedures

Mountain bikes need to be maintained regularly, not merely left in the garage or outdoors between rides. They should be thoroughly checked each week or two for signs of wear, damage, or malfunction. They should be periodically oiled, the tires should be inflated to desired pressure levels, and so on. Household or penetrating oils can be used not only to lubricate parts but also to protect against rust.

Mountain biking is a fun and adventurous sport. Observe good safe riding habits and keep your bicycle in good condition to get the maximum pleasure out of your mountain biking experience.

It is a bit difficult to talk about beginner friendly bikes because bikes are not necessarily designated that way. They are designated more so by function, cost, and number of speeds. But that said, there are still some characteristics you can look for in a bicycle that make them in one way or another somewhat more suitable for beginners than advanced bikers. Let’s take a look at some of these characteristics:

Number of Speeds

Chances are beginning bike riders will not be very familiar with changing gears as they ride. Thus it could be argued that bikes with fewer speeds are better for beginners. These would be your 10 and 12 speed bikes. The lower number of speeds will allow the biker to get acclimated to the various gears and with the shifting action as they ride without getting bogged down by too many possibilities.

Easy Shift Gears

Many bikes today feature more easily shiftable gears than the bikes of the past. They may sport, for instance, numbered gear markings and spring assisted shifting levers. These will also be easier for a beginner to use while riding. Less attention will have to be devoted to the gear shifting and more can be placed on the riding itself.

Child Bikes

Many beginner bike riders are, of course, children. Thus a beginner bike is often a small child sized bike. Small bikes for children aged, say, 5 to 14 fall into the beginner bicycle category. These bikes are sized to fit a particular age group and are available in a wide variety of price ranges.

Tricycles and Bikes with Training Wheels

Tricycles and bikes with training wheels could be considered beginner friendly bicycles in the truest sense. These bikes assist younger children (and possibly disabled people) in maintaining balance while they ride. Again, they can be found at many different locations and prices. If there is any sense that a child or other individual may fall repeatedly on a regular bike, tricycles and training wheels are a good option which will allow them to develop balance and confidence.

A Word about Safety

Safety is important for all bike riders, but it is especially important for beginners. Beginners should wear bike helmets and if possible and either clothing that is not too loose and baggy or specially designed bicycle clothing. In the event of a fall a helmet protects the head, and the tight fitting clothes guard against the possibility of clothing getting caught in the quickly turning wheels.

The above characteristics and attributes are ones to consider if you are looking for beginner friendly bicycles. Protect the safety and well being of beginning bicycle riders and foster their biking skill development by selecting a bicycle and safety gear that is appropriate for their level.